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ORLANDO—The memory is as vivid as if it happened when I was 30: Standing at the gates to Magic Kingdom, crying uncontrollably, begging my parents to let me stay. It was late and the park was closing and the only thing I would’ve got from trying to overnight in the park at that hour was arrested, but Fantasyland had proven that intoxicating.

Fast forward to this week, when I am travelling with my own 8-year-old to the same park. Cameron is far more sophisticated than I was — nimble with an iPod touch and a master of Google — and on this, his third visit to the park, the thrill of seeing the mouse is falling second to a desire for something new.

I’m betting that the makeover of Fantasyland, which media reports have pegged at a cost of $425 million, will do the trick. Although Disney Parks isn’t confirming the numbers, it’s clear that both Cameron and Olivia, his 6-year-old companion on this trip, are bound to get the mix of high-tech thrills and storybook endings that they’re after.

Sure big kids, and little kids who want to be bigger, get a kick out of some of the other parks at Walt Disney World, such as Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach.

But Fantasyland, one of seven themed lands in the Magic Kingdom Park, is the spot kids are dreaming about when they’re crying in front of their TVs and begging you to bring them here.

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This is where they’re first encouraged to believe in the magic.

“Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends,” says Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations for the United States and France.

Originally 10 acres, the new Fantasyland has more than doubled in size (21 acres) and marks the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom’s 41-year history.

“We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before,” Crofton adds.

So what can you expect?

A fully themed setting: Lush trees, gardens, waterfalls and brightly coloured attractions make the area distinctive, and make you feel like you’ve walked right into a storybook.

A rethinking of old favourites: The popular Dumbo Ride gets the respect it deserves at “Storybook Circus.” The ride has been doubled and benefits from a new three-ring, big-top, family game centre and waiting area, and a pager system that makes lines easier on the little ones. The popular Barnstormer Coaster has been re-themed as The Great Goofini but holds on to its kid-friendly action.

Interactive Disney Classics: Ariel, The Little Mermaid, is here at Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid, and little ones can climb into a giant clamshell and join her on a high-tech journey through the movie.

Step into character homes: You can meet Belle and Lumière in the Beast’s Library for storytime; pop in on Ariel in Ariel’s grotto, or dine in one of three high-tech rooms in the Be our Guest Restaurant in Beast’s castle.

What’s gone?

Mickey’s Toontown Fair: This area where kids could go and tour the homes of classic characters, such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, was taken down. Character meet and greets are now located throughout the park.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures: taken down earlier this year to make room for the expansion.

They’re still not done.

Princess lovers everywhere are anxiously anticipating the 2013 opening of the Princess Fairytale Hall, where guests will always be able to find their favourite princesses (Aurora, Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel and others) for photos.

In 2014, plans include the addition of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a swinging car roller coaster with 31- and 41-foot drops that mimics a ride into the diamond mine where the characters from Snow White have whistled while they worked for decades.

Heather Greenwood Davis is a freelance writer based in Toronto who can be reached at www.globetrottingmama.com. Her visit to Walt Disney World was subsidized in part by Disney Parks & Resorts (Canada).

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